Keeping it dull or making it fun: Task variation as a function of promotion versus prevention focus |
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Authors: | Jessi L Smith Jill Wagaman Ian M Handley |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Psychology, Montana State University, 304 Traphagen Hall, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA |
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Abstract: | The self-regulation of motivation model suggests that under certain circumstances, people will strategically vary a boring
task to enhance their motivational experience. In three experiments we tested whether the likelihood of this task variation
depends on a person’s orientation to promote success or prevent failure. Across studies, all participants engaged in a boring
letter-copying task which was coded for task variation. Results showed that a promotion focus led to greater task variation,
whereas a prevention focus led to lesser task variation. Furthermore, for those people who varied the task under a promotion
focus, greater intrinsic motivation (defined as intent for future task-related behavior and as self-reported immediate task
interest) was observed. Results were evident when the foci were induced below conscious awareness (Experiment 1), subtly (Experiment 2), and overtly (Experiment 3). Implications for academic and work-related tasks are discussed. |
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Keywords: | Intrinsic motivation Self-regulation Promotion and prevention focus |
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